One side of the soul is carried away by the passionate part in man, and we are then captivated by the good things of this life, but the other side of… - Diadochos of Photiki

If the soul, through attentiveness, reduces the blindness caused by the love of this world, it will consider its slightest faults to be very grave and will continually shed tears. ... But if the soul persists in its worldly disposition, even though it commits a murder or some other act deserving severe punishment, it takes little notice; and it is quite unable to discern its other faults, often considering them to be signs of progress, and in its wretchedness it is not ashamed to defend them heatedly.

Spiritual discourse always keeps the soul free from self-esteem, for it gives every part of the soul a sense of light, so that it no longer needs the praise of men.

The eye of the soul cannot be led astray when its veil, by which I mean the body, is refined to near-transparency through self-control.